Wichita eagle., 1887-04-27

and adjust the means to the end-prepart
for the happiness and well being Of this
great people expectant in the near futere
now, while plans can be laid and success
fully carried out1
What we here refer to is the necessity OF
providing for more numerous and extern
sive pleasure resorts-parks where nature
in all of her va:iagated charms may be seen
and enjoyed. After spending few days
in the vortex of the whirl Of trade and bus
mess, what is more restful than rambling
up and down the shady paths and byways
of great garden-a park. And what is
more important this side Of death than 4
proper amount of diversity and recreation
for the tired, weary body and soul' The
brain-worker needs rest, the merchant and
the clerk need rest, the mechanic-in fine,
every laborer In every field of activity and
work imperatively needs due amount of
diversion and recreation. Those who are
acquainted with people and their routine
Of business in large cities can call to mind
cases of men and women growing prema
turely old and fessilized, and can assign no
and applications to the monotonous rounds
of business The Chinese have way OF
dwarfing the feet, and many Americans, it
would seem, with as much generalization,
are given to dwar6ng their souls and
running for ever their nervous systems by q
plan, or rather lack Of a plan, just as sense
less and unnecessary as the mentioned bar
barity of the Chinese No city probably
in the world illustrates the practical impor'
lance and usefulness of public parks better
than Chicago. She has at least seven, viz:
Lincoln, Douglas, Garfield, Humboldt,
South, Jackson. Union and several smaller
ones. The writer has often observed with
much interest the process of pleasure seek
ing in these resorts by the busy populace
of that great bee hive of activity. Some
times on Sundays and special gala DAYS it
would seem that the whole people were In
the parks. And who can estimate the good
in resting and enrolling of the spirit re
sulting from the communion with nature
in viewing and studying the wonders she
contains in the vastness of her creations
There, surrounded by ali the circumstances
OF nature so far as the arts and contriv-
ances Of man can make them, is seen the
sporting seal, imported from Arctic waters,
burly buffalo, the sun loving and sluggish
alligator, the polar and grizzly bears, BE-
sides many other Wild animals Of interest
to the student Of natural history or any
person OF ordinary curiosity and inQuisi- |
tiveness. In the green houses IL TO be seen |
hundreds Of curious plants from tbs Tropi- |
cal world. besides an immense collection |
Of plants of the further north Added to
these 10 the beauty Of the trees and scrss Of
beautifully and skilfully arranged flower
beds. all tending and effective In giving
lew life and inspiration TO the thousands
Of business wearied mortsls who are priv. |
eyed to wander among them
To return TO the point under discussion.
/. would seem that new 10 tho time to pro-
cure and reserve suitable tracts for parks
n which the weary multitude OF the fu-
ure can grid up their loins, freshen up
heir spirits and prepare anew for the
lsily conflicts Of life and an adverse world |
The soul can no more live ON rush"
push. or business alone, than the physi-
al system can subsist on one kind Of diet.
Il this be true and also if It be true tbs.
his is the site Of the future metropolis, the
natter Of a place In which the people can
ind diversion from said rush, business,
,tc.. is not less vital to the good people
md pure air.
II park sites sre ever TO be secured
" the city i. would seem from all
'uihority that nov the living present would
'e more apportune In view Of economy
han is ter in the day when suitable prop
rty would be held q, unsuitable prices.
ct the young men who have cast their
OF with the fortunes Of Wichita remembe,
his ~ Sd and struggle Of the present will
lnAlly grow burdensome. as years creep
'ver them, and they win long 70 exchange.
low and then, the bleak walls Of masonry
Or something grcener and fresher-sone-
hing farther away from ,he artificial
nd nearer nature and natures God. A
CIV parks Ike Any one Ct those named
love viii enable one 70 crafty such
ongins. and, al considered. viii ~ Of -
luch material benefit ~ the people Ia !
soeral - anything else requiring . ike
noun. Of inyotnsal Yo4n Aopafnl fer
E!ekiA, i. H. THonrscE.